From Elizabeth Darwin to Horace Darwin [7 October 1873]

Dear Horace.

I hope you are getting on pretty well at Cambridge. You heard about Mr Allen's house being to let, we all went over it on Sunday—it is a much nicer place than I thought—the beds looked very gay with scarlet geraniums and the garden is very snug—the house too is comfortable— there is some body else after it but Mr Allen wants to let it to Father so Frank is certain of it unless Mr Hacon finds any flaws in the lease which he will try hard to do.

They need not take the house till February Mr Allen first said March. it is much better than building. though the little house in the Sand walk would have been nice

Dr Hooker was here last Sunday and was particularly pleasant he is a different thing without Mrs H. Sir John and Professor Tyndal called in the afternoon—but Father could not see them as he was tied with going over the house. So Professor Tyndal wandered about with Dr Hooker and Sir John showed us very plainly how bored he was with us.

Well it is nearly lunch time. | so goodbye. | Your's ever. | EDarwin.